Idoma people are now strangers in Benue – NNPP chair, Agbo Major

The National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Major Gilbert Agbo, has decried the continuous political and developmental marginalization of the Idoma people in Benue State, accusing successive governments of perpetuating Tiv domination since the creation of the state.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, Major Agbo said it was disheartening that despite the Idoma people’s contributions to the unity and progress of Benue, they remain sidelined in both governance and infrastructure development.

According to him, the Tiv ethnic group has monopolized the governorship seat since Benue was created, leaving the Idoma with little or no representation in the state’s power equation.

“As you and I know, the Idoma people have been politically marginalized since the creation of Benue State. The Tiv have dominated the governorship position from day one. Even in terms of development, the imbalance is glaring,” he said.

Major Agbo described the level of infrastructural disparity in the state as alarming, noting that while Tiv-dominated areas such as Makurdi, Gboko, and Katsina-Ala are witnessing massive development projects, Idoma land, particularly Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idoma nation, remains neglected.

“Look at Makurdi, it’s now a construction site, which is good. Go to Gboko or Katsina-Ala — same thing. But if you go to Otukpo, our traditional headquarters where our paramount ruler resides, you’ll be shocked. The roads are bad, no major projects, and nothing shows that we are part of the power equation,” he lamented.

The NNPP chairman expressed hope that by the 2027 general elections, the Idoma people would rise above ethnic manipulation and unite to make better political decisions guided by the injustices they have endured for decades.

“It’s disheartening, but I hope that by 2027, our people will unite and make better political choices guided by the injustices and neglect we’ve endured for years,” Agbo stated.

He called on the Benue State Government to address the long-standing imbalance, insisting that development and governance must be evenly distributed across the state to ensure fairness, inclusion, and peace.